By Guinevere Hall 2 September, 2013 I recently discussed the election with my 19 year old hair dresser after I remarked that she would be voting for the first time. She only enrolled when sent a notice saying she was going to be fined. Her colleague called out, “It’s only $20”, to which she […]
Sarah Henderson, Corangamite’s incoming Liberal MP? @PrimMich interview
September 1, 2013
By Michelle Primmer September 1, 2013 I played a game of phone tag with the Liberal Party’s Sarah Henderson and her office trying to tee up a time to meet. I was keen to get an in person interview, but her schedule had been chock-a-block. Now with the election just a week away, I was […]
Wills Forum ends with call for compassion and decency to be reclaimed in politics reports @takvera
September 1, 2013
By John Englart 1 September 2013 The 3rd and final meet the candidates forum for Wills was hosted by the Brunswick Uniting Church on Friday night. Five candidates attended to present their policies and to take questions from a moderator and from the audience. But it was the very last response to the very last […]
Climate change election no-show a shame for all of us: @GrattonWilson
August 31, 2013
By Gratton Wilson The important matter of climate change seems to have received little attention by politicians during the election debate. There have been some exchanges but nothing substantial has been added by the chief players. There has been significant contributions from experts, all of whom confirm that the Coalition Direct Action Plan will […]
Dean O’Callaghan brews beer to save the planet in Wills: Interview by @Takvera
August 30, 2013
By John Englart 29 August 2013 Meet Dean O’Callaghan, or Deano Goodbrew, as he is known around the streets of Moreland in Melbourne’s inner north. He is standing as the only Independent in the seat of Wills. Dean runs a small sustainable business called the Goodbrew company. “That is my bread and butter. I started […]
The Greens candidate in Forde, Sally Spain: @stephaniedale22 reports
August 30, 2013
By Stephanie Dale 30 August 2013 Saturday September 7 is World Endangered Species Day – beautifully timed for an election in which ‘the environment’ (euphemism for the world that is our home) has barely rated a mention. “Where,” I ask Greens candidate for the seat of Forde, Sally Spain, “is the environment in the 2013 election?” […]
Jan Pukallus on poetry, free trade and politics: @stephaniedale22 reports
August 23, 2013
By Stephanie Dale 23 August 2013 For 12 years, Jan Pukallus has been running for election in Queensland – and today was a moment of celebration for the veteran campaigner: it was the first time she’d been invited for a sit-down interview by a journalist. Pukallus is the Citizen Electoral Council’s (CEC) candidate for Forde, the […]
Wills candidates agree on climate but differ on urgency and the coal menace, reports @takvera
August 23, 2013
By John Englart 22 August 2013 On a cold and rainy Monday evening in Wills, in Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs, voters gathered at the concert hall in Coburg Town Hall to hear what candidates had to say on climate and sustainability issues. The hall was full with about 140 people in attendance. Climate Action Moreland, […]
MIA Labor candidate Luke Willis finally speaks up, but no funds and no chance in Tangney
August 19, 2013
By Guinevere Hall August 18, 2013 I was ready to write my missing-in-action piece when the elusive Labor candidate for Tangney in Western Australia Luke Willis finally made contact. There had been numerous emails and weeks of silence but then he agreed to meet for an interview. We met at a local café in Riverton […]
The Greens face in Wills: @takvera interview
August 17, 2013
By John Englart 17 August 2013 The Greens achieved 20 per cent of the vote in Wills in 2010, four percent less than the Liberal Party. They are hoping to improve on this result this time, although it may be a tough ask given the national mood and the polarisation of the electorate. Dr Tim […]
